Plan for the Future
Ralph W. LeFevere
95 Veteran, Carpenter, Great-Grandfather
Hanover Twp. – Ralph William LeFevere passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 9, 2016. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, he was educated at the Cathedral Parish School and a business college there. He was a member of the Minnesota National Guard when it was called into federal service in 1941, serving as Sergeant-Major of Battery Headquarters in the 216th Anti-Aircraft Group during WWII. His unit was assigned to defend the West Coast, where he served most of his time in the US Army. After being honorably discharged in 1945, he lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his wife Marie and their three children before coming to Whippany in 1957.
Mr. LeFevere retired in 1983 from his life’s work as a journeyman carpenter-cabinetmaker with Local 620 in Madison. During retirement, he volunteered his carpentry and handyman skills at Fosterfields Living Historic Farm and was a driver for Dial-A-Ride for 12 years. He was a 59-year member of Our Lady of Mercy Church, where he served on the parish council and as a Eucharistic minister. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus Council 6904, Hanover Township Seniors, and a Begin-Again Group. In his final years, he appreciated the kind and capable care of nurses and staff at the Troy Hills Center in Parsippany.
His beloved wife of 52 years, Marie Connors LeFevere, predeceased him in 1996. Later, Mr. LeFevere was grateful that he met Gloria Siedenburg, then also of Whippany, for she became a dear friend and treasured companion.
He is survived by his daughter Mary Mascenik and her husband Thomas of State Road, NC; his son Thomas LeFevere of Clarksville, MD; his son John LeFevere and his wife Karen of Whippany; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends and relatives at Bradley-Braviak Funeral Home, 49 Whippany Road, Whippany, on Wednesday, October 12 from 2 – 4 pm and from 7 – 9 pm.
The funeral will be held on Thursday, October 13 at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church Chapel on Whippany Road in Whippany. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in his memory to the Whippany Fire Department.